How to Use Leverage to Work Less, Earn More, and Finally Breathe

Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever but getting nowhere? Like there’s never enough time, and the harder you push, the more trapped you feel?

If so, Rob Moore’s book Leverage might just flip your perspective. It’s not another “hustle harder” guide. It’s about getting smarter with your time, energy, and resources. Moore introduces a powerful idea: success isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less of the wrong things and using other people’s time, skills, systems, and money to multiply your impact.

Here’s a breakdown of the book’s best ideas, plus real-life reflections and how to start using them today.

1. Stop Doing Everything Yourself

One of Moore’s key messages is simple but life-changing: you shouldn’t be doing everything.
He argues that we spend too much time on tasks that someone else could do better, faster, and cheaper.

Delegate, outsource, automate. This frees you to focus on what really matters.

“Freedom doesn’t come from control; it comes from letting go.”

2. Buy Back Your Time

Buying someone else’s time means paying others to do tasks that drain your hours so you can invest your energy in high-impact areas. That doesn’t mean you need to start a big company. Even freelancers, solo creators, or side hustlers can start small.

Examples of buying back your time:

• Hire a virtual assistant to manage emails and schedules
• Use a cleaning service instead of doing it yourself
• Pay a freelancer to edit your content or videos
• Order groceries online instead of shopping in person

The point is, stop trading time for money and start buying back time to think, create, and grow.

3. Value Expands When You Scale It

Moore emphasizes something deeper: wealth is created not just by doing valuable work, but by scaling that value.

You can turn one piece of work into income streams that keep flowing without constant effort.

Think about this:

• One blog post can reach 1,000 people.
• One online course can be sold 10,000 times.
• One system can run every week while you sleep.

The trick is to create once, and deliver often.

4. Change Your Environment, Change Your Life

Moore insists that your environment shapes your outcomes, especially the people around you.

That sounds nice in theory, but what if your current environment feels fixed? What if you’re surrounded by small thinking, fear, or just people who don’t “get” your goals?

Start here:

• Join online communities related to your interests or business
• Attend small workshops or virtual events
• Comment on others’ content and connect with like-minded people
• Change your input. Read different books, listen to different podcasts

You don’t need to move across the world. Sometimes changing your “mental environment” is the first step.

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”

5. Let Go to Grow

Letting go doesn’t mean being irresponsible. It means trusting others, empowering them, and stepping away from micromanagement.
Moore calls this the art of real delegation, not just assigning tasks but transferring ownership.

This is where most people struggle. They say, “No one can do it like I can.”
But that mindset traps you.

Start small. Let someone else handle one area. Give them the “what” and let them figure out the “how.”
Your job is to lead, not do everything yourself.

6. Less Control, More Freedom

Here’s one of the boldest statements in the book:

“The more responsibility you give away, the more freedom you gain.”

At first, that feels risky. But in truth, holding on to everything creates burnout and bottlenecks.
Letting go isn’t weakness. It’s the only way to grow.

7. Want to Use Leverage? Here’s How to Start

Moore lays out several practical tools to begin building leverage into your life.

• The Leverage Audit

Track your time for a few days and ask:

• What am I doing that someone else could do?
• What tasks drain me?
• What brings real results?

This reveals where you’re stuck doing low-value work.

• Outsourcing Matrix

Visualize tasks based on their impact and difficulty:

Start by delegating the easy, high-impact stuff.

• The Compound Leverage Strategy

Apply leverage in layers:

1. Time – Stop doing what others can do
2. People – Get help, build a team (even small)
3. Systems – Automate with tools or tech
4. Money – Invest or advertise to scale
5. Marketing – Use content to reach more people at once

Each layer builds on the last — and together, they multiply.

• The 1-3-5 Rule

A simple structure to stay focused:

• 1 Big goal
• 3 Medium goals
• 5 Small, daily tasks

It prevents overwhelm and keeps momentum.

Final Thoughts

Moore’s Leverage isn’t about doing less for the sake of laziness.
It’s about doing less of the wrong things so you can do more of what matters.

You don’t need to be rich or have a team to start using leverage.
Start by asking:
“What am I doing right now that someone else could do?”
Then take one step to let it go.

Your freedom starts there.

✅ 1. Key Expressions with Examples

Here are the refined daily expressions from the conversation, especially helpful for long-term U.S. residents who want to sound tactful, supportive, and nuanced in everyday speech:

🔹 Nothing to sneeze at

Meaning: Something that is important, valuable, or worth recognizing – not trivial.
Usage: Often used to highlight someone’s achievement or positive outcome that they may be downplaying.
Examples:

• “Getting a 3.7 GPA is nothing to sneeze at. That’s impressive!”
• “$100 might not be a fortune, but for your first sale, it’s nothing to sneeze at.”

🔹 Not to be taken lightly

Meaning: Something serious or significant that should be acknowledged and not ignored.
Usage: Can be used to show respect for effort or to warn about potential consequences.
Examples:

• “Starting your own business is not to be taken lightly.”
• “Running a marathon is not to be taken lightly—you’ve got to train properly.”

🔹 Nothing to scoff at

Meaning: Similar to “nothing to sneeze at,” it means something respectable or worth taking seriously.
Tone: Slightly more casual and expressive.
Examples:

• “50 followers on your first week? That’s nothing to scoff at!”
• “Second place in a national contest is nothing to scoff at.”

🔹 You’re your own worst critic

Meaning: You tend to judge yourself more harshly than others do.
Usage: Often said to reassure someone who’s being hard on themselves.
Examples:

• “Don’t beat yourself up—you’re your own worst critic.”
• “You did great. I think you’re just being your own worst critic.”

🔹 Putting yourself out there

Meaning: Taking a risk by exposing your work, ideas, or personality to others.
Connotation: Positive—it shows bravery or effort.
Examples:

• “You should be proud—you’re putting yourself out there.”
• “It’s hard to put yourself out there, but you did it!”

🎭 2. Role Play Script from the Episode

Context: Two friends talking after one of them tried selling at a craft fair and felt disappointed with the results.

Michelle: It was my first one, but I thought it would go better than it did.
Lindsay: Michelle, give yourself credit. Putting yourself out there at your first show is not to be taken lightly.
Michelle: I know, but I only made $100.
Lindsay: $100 is nothing to sneeze at! Again, it’s your first time.
Michelle: I know, but I’ll need to up my social media. I have 50 followers, which is nothing to scoff at, but I should get more.
Lindsay: I can help you think of ways to grow it.
Michelle: Oh, thanks!

📝 3. Paragraph Incorporating All the Expressions

Last weekend, I launched my first handmade candle booth at a local craft fair. I was nervous because I had never put myself out there like that before. In the end, I only made $100, and I couldn’t help feeling a little discouraged. But my friend reminded me that for a first event, earning that much is nothing to sneeze at. She also said that even having the courage to participate was not to be taken lightly. I told her I had about 50 new followers on Instagram, which is nothing to scoff at, especially for just starting out. She smiled and said, “You’re your own worst critic—give yourself more credit!” And honestly, she was right.

💬 Q&A

Q: Why does “It’s nothing to sneeze at” mean something is valuable or significant?

At first glance, this phrase can be confusing—what does sneezing have to do with importance?

You might wonder, “Does it mean I’ve sneezed enough times, so I can’t sneeze anymore? Is that why it’s important?” Not quite!

A: The meaning and origin of “It’s nothing to sneeze at”

Meaning:

“It’s nothing to sneeze at” means something is not trivial—it deserves recognition or respect. It’s often used to highlight something that might seem small but is actually meaningful.

Why the word “sneeze”?

In the 1800s, “to sneeze at something” was an idiom meaning to dismiss something or look down on it, much like scoffing at it.

So when you say something is “nothing to sneeze at,” you’re saying:

“This is not something to look down on”
→ In other words, “It’s valuable” or “It’s respectable.”

Think of it this way:

• A sneeze is often involuntary and seems like an expression of disregard.
• So, if you don’t sneeze at something, you’re not brushing it off or ignoring its worth.

✅ Refined Daily Expressions & Idioms to Learn from This Episode

Here are key phrases and expressions that help make conversation more fluid, witty, and personal, especially in social or networking situations:

1. To riff
   Definition: To improvise or build playfully on a topic during a conversation, similar to improvising in jazz.
   Example: We started riffing about awkward first dates, and the conversation just flowed.
2. To dodge a bullet
   Definition: To narrowly avoid an embarrassing or uncomfortable situation.
   Example: I almost called him by the wrong name but caught myself—dodged a bullet there.
3. Out of the blue
   Definition: Unexpectedly; without warning.
   Example: He asked me, out of the blue, what the weirdest food I’ve eaten is.
4. To melt into the floor
   Definition: To feel intense embarrassment.
   Example: When I said “You too” to the waiter, I wanted to melt into the floor.
5. Eye contact of doom
   Definition: A humorous way to describe painfully awkward eye contact in a social blunder.
   Example: We both made the eye contact of doom after I said something totally weird.
6. Fake confidence
   Definition: Pretending to feel confident when you’re really unsure or uncomfortable.
   Example: I totally forgot her name, but I just smiled and said, “Hey, you!” with fake confidence.
7. Flavor alchemist
   Definition: Someone who experiments creatively with food flavors and combinations.
   Example: Mixing chocolate and fries? You’re a real flavor alchemist.
8. Don’t knock it till you try it
   Definition: Don’t criticize something before experiencing it yourself.
   Example: Peanut butter on pickles sounds gross, but don’t knock it till you try it.
9. Match each other’s weirdness
   Definition: Connect through sharing unusual or quirky experiences or preferences.
   Example: We both confessed our strange food obsessions—it was great to match each other’s weirdness.
10. To pivot back
    Definition: To shift direction in a conversation, especially when something doesn’t work.
    Example: When she didn’t get my joke, I pivoted back to safer small talk.

🎭 Role Play Scripts from the Episode

These demonstrate how to move from standard small talk into natural, humorous riffing.

💬 Script 1: Awkward Social Moments

A: I just dodged a bullet. I thought that person was waving at me, almost waved back… but they were waving to someone behind me.
B: Oof, classic. I’m impressed you caught yourself in time.
A: Do you ever say “you too” when the waiter tells you to enjoy your meal?
B: Constantly. And then I just want to melt into the floor.
A: Or when the Uber driver says “Have a good flight” and I reply, “You too”… then we make the eye contact of doom.
B: It’s the worst. But also kind of hilarious.

💬 Script 2: Forgetting Names

A: I apologize in advance if I forget your name. I’m terrible with names.
B: Me too. My brain just deletes it instantly.
A: And then I resort to calling people “you” or “buddy.”
B: Better than saying the wrong name. “Hi Sarah” – “Uh, I’m Lisa.”
A: Smooth, right? Social ninja status.
B: Honestly, forgetting names should be an Olympic sport.

💬 Script 3: Weird Food Combos

A: What’s the weirdest food combo you secretly love?
B: Definitely peanut butter and pickles.
A: That’s… terrifying.
B: I know, but don’t knock it till you try it.
A: I’m into sweet and savory, so maybe. Mine’s chocolate and fries.
B: Now that is genius. We’re basically flavor alchemists.
A: It’s my rebellion against boring snacks.

📝 Combined Paragraph Using All Key Expressions

The other day, I dodged a bullet at a networking event—I almost waved at someone who wasn’t waving at me, and I barely caught myself in time. Classic. We started riffing about awkward moments like saying “You too” when the waiter says “Enjoy your meal,” and that eye contact of doom that always follows. It felt great to match each other’s weirdness and move past the stiff small talk. I even admitted my secret snack obsession—chocolate-dipped fries. She gasped, but I said, “Don’t knock it till you try it.” Turns out she loves peanut butter and pickles. We laughed and called ourselves flavor alchemists. When I forgot her name halfway through, I covered it with fake confidence and called her “you,” but she didn’t mind. We kept riffing and never had to pivot back to the boring stuff.

✅ Q&A Summary: Expression Insights from Our Conversation

Q1: In the phrase “riffing about awkward first dates,” is there no object?

A: Correct. In this context, riff is used as an intransitive verb, and the phrase about awkward first dates is a prepositional phrase that acts as the topic of the improvisation. It functions like the object in meaning, similar to how we use talk about something or joke about something.

Q2: Is riff usually used only as an intransitive verb?

A: Yes, in most modern usage, riff is intransitive when used in a conversational context. It commonly appears as riff on or riff about to describe playful or spontaneous discussion. It can appear as a transitive verb in some musical contexts, but this is rare and not common in everyday speech.

Q3: Why does “dodge a bullet” mean what it does? Does dodge mean “to avoid”?

A: Exactly. Dodge means to move quickly to avoid something. A bullet represents danger or trouble, so to dodge a bullet paints a clear image of narrowly escaping a harmful or embarrassing situation. It’s widely used to describe lucky avoidance of something bad.

Q4: Why does “out of the blue” include the word blue?

A: The word blue refers to a clear, peaceful sky. The expression comes from the idea of lightning or a sudden event happening when the sky is calm and blue. So, when something happens out of the blue, it means it comes unexpectedly, without warning or buildup.

Q5: Why does “to melt into the floor” have this meaning?

A: This phrase creates the visual of someone feeling so embarrassed that they wish they could disappear completely. It captures the physical and emotional reaction of extreme awkwardness by imagining yourself literally melting down into the floor to escape the situation.

Q6: What does wave mean in the phrase “almost waved at someone”?

A: In this context, wave is used as a verb that means to raise and move your hand back and forth as a greeting or acknowledgment. It’s a common nonverbal gesture used to say hello, goodbye, or signal attention.

Q: What does “eye contact of doom” mean? Why is it called “of doom”?

A: It refers to an extremely awkward or uncomfortable moment when your eyes meet someone else’s, usually right after you’ve made a mistake or social blunder. The phrase uses humor and exaggeration to describe that cringe-worthy second when you’re both aware something just went wrong. The phrase “of doom” is often used playfully to exaggerate a situation that feels disastrous or unbearable. By saying “eye contact of doom,” you’re humorously suggesting that the moment felt like a social catastrophe, even if it was minor.

10 Thinking Lessons from Yale Professor Woo-Kyoung Ahn’s 『Thinking 101』

“Why do I make foolish decisions even though I consider myself smart?”

We live in an age of AI, algorithms, endless choices, and infinite information. Yet we still make mistakes, get emotional, and regret decisions. This is not due to ignorance, but because of how the human brain is wired. Yale psychology professor Woo-Kyoung Ahn reveals in 『Thinking 101』 just how often and systematically our thinking goes wrong.

This is not just another psychology book. 『Thinking 101』 is a practical toolbox for thinking better. Ahn’s popular course “Thinking” at Yale uses experiments and interactive exercises to help students experience their cognitive errors, and then apply those insights to real life.

Why You Should Read This Book

• If you’ve ever wondered why smart people still make bad decisions
• If you want to understand how recommendation algorithms distort your perspective
• If you want to question your own thinking and ask better questions
• If you want to become a better leader, parent, or collaborator

『Thinking 101』 is a compelling place to start.

10 Core Ideas Explained with Practical Tips

1. Confirmation Bias

We tend to seek out evidence that confirms what we already believe, while ignoring or dismissing anything that contradicts it. In one classroom experiment, Ahn showed how students kept generating sequences that aligned with their assumptions rather than trying to disprove their hypothesis. This bias makes it harder to change our minds, even when we’re wrong.

Practical Tip:

• Actively look for disconfirming evidence. Ask, “What would prove me wrong?”
• During discussions, challenge your own view before someone else does.

2. Negativity Bias

Negative information sticks with us more than positive feedback, even if the ratio is wildly unbalanced. One bad comment among 99 compliments can ruin your mood. Evolutionarily, this helped us survive, but today it feeds anxiety, overreactions, and poor self-image.

Practical Tip:

• End your day by listing three positive things that happened.
• When facing criticism, zoom out and evaluate it within the broader context.

3. Cognitive Laziness

The brain prefers mental shortcuts to save energy. While efficient, this leads us to rely on habits and automatic responses, making us less creative and more narrow-minded. Algorithms feed on this tendency by showing us only what’s familiar.

Practical Tip:

• Break your daily routine on purpose: take a new route to work or try a new café.
• Resist the “recommended for you” trap. Explore new content manually.

4. Illusion of Fluency

Just because something feels easy to understand doesn’t mean it’s truly understood. Repetition breeds familiarity, not mastery. This illusion makes us overconfident and blinds us to our knowledge gaps.

Practical Tip:

• After learning something, try to explain it out loud or in writing.
• Test yourself with questions like, “Could I teach this to a friend in 2 minutes?”

5. Curse of Knowledge

Once we know something, it’s hard to imagine not knowing it. This makes communication difficult and teaching ineffective. Experts often struggle to simplify information for beginners because they can’t unsee what they already understand.

Practical Tip:

• Use analogies and concrete examples that match your audience’s background.
• After explaining something, ask for feedback to ensure clarity.

6. Attribution Error

We judge others’ actions as reflections of their character, but excuse our own behavior as situational. This double standard fuels misunderstanding and weakens empathy.

Practical Tip:

• When someone frustrates you, ask “What might be going on in their world?”
• Recall moments when you behaved similarly under pressure.

7. Algorithmic Reinforcement

Every click reinforces the kinds of content we’re shown. Over time, our worldview shrinks as algorithms learn to serve us more of the same. This leads to echo chambers and confirmation bubbles.

Practical Tip:

• Intentionally consume opposing views and unfamiliar content.
• Disable autoplay and seek out information beyond your usual feeds.

8. Belief Shapes Emotion

What we believe about ourselves changes how we feel. In a study, participants told they had a “depression gene” later scored higher on mood tests, even though the test was fake. What you believe becomes how you experience the world.

Practical Tip:

• When emotions spike, ask, “Am I reacting to reality or to a belief?”
• Practice daily positive self-affirmations to reshape internal narratives.

9. Creativity Through Randomness

Unpredictable, non-routine experiences stimulate creativity. Comfort zones dull the brain. Small acts of randomness, like ordering a new dish or exploring a new route, can spark new neural connections and ideas.

Practical Tip:

• Assign yourself one random choice per day. Flip a coin to decide lunch.
• Use new tools or formats to approach familiar problems.

10. Metacognition

Thinking about your thinking is the foundation of better decision-making. Without awareness of how you think, it’s impossible to improve your judgments, learning, or emotional control.

Practical Tip:

• At the end of the day, ask “When did I react automatically today?”
• Write out your decision-making steps before committing to a big choice.

How to Apply These Ideas in Daily Life

• Search opposing keywords on Google (e.g., “cataract surgery risks” and “benefits”)
• Choose meals randomly instead of picking the usual
• Change one part of your daily routine every week
• Ask, “What if I’m wrong?” before locking in your opinion

The Core Message

The first step toward smarter thinking is admitting you might be wrong.

『Thinking 101』 is not just about psychology. It is a practical philosophy for modern life. In a world where AI curates your reality for you, this book hands the steering wheel back to your brain.

✅ Highlighted Expressions & Idioms with Examples

1. A slew of [something]
   Definition: A large number or amount, typically referring to tasks, responsibilities, or non-tangible items.
   Example: “I had a slew of emails to respond to before lunch.”
2. A boatload of [something]
   Definition: An informal way to express a very large amount; slightly more playful than “slew.”
   Example: “She brought a boatload of snacks for the road trip.”
3. Oodles of [something]
   Definition: A whimsical, informal way to say “a lot of”; often used with physical items or things we collect.
   Example: “He has oodles of vintage records in his basement.”
4. A mountain of [responsibilities/tasks/etc.]
   Definition: Used to convey emotional weight or overwhelming volume, especially of abstract burdens.
   Example: “I’m under a mountain of deadlines this week.”
5. A stack of [something]
   Definition: Often literal, refers to a tall pile, usually of papers or work.
   Example: “There’s a stack of paperwork waiting for my review.”
6. Onslaught
   Definition: A strong or sudden rush of something, often used with work or information.
   Example: “After the product launch, we experienced an onslaught of customer feedback.”
7. Topsy-turvy
   Definition: Describes a chaotic or disorganized situation.
   Example: “The whole move left our lives completely topsy-turvy.”

🎭 Role Play Script

Context: Two coworkers catching up in the break room on a Friday afternoon.

Jenna:
Ugh, just when I thought I could clock out early, a slew of reports landed in my inbox.

Darren:
Tell me about it. I had a boatload of emails to return this morning before I even grabbed coffee.

Jenna:
It’s like our manager waits until Friday to dump a mountain of last-minute tasks on us.

Darren:
Exactly! My desk looks ridiculous — there’s literally a stack of documents I still need to scan.

Jenna:
Honestly, this whole week has felt a bit topsy-turvy. Nothing went according to plan.

Darren:
Yeah, I miss those slower weeks when we actually had breathing room — now it’s just an onslaught of projects.

Jenna:
Same here. I even canceled dinner with friends. I’ve got oodles of little things to wrap up before the weekend.

🧩 Integrated Paragraph Using All Expressions

This week has been downright topsy-turvy. On Monday alone, I was hit with an onslaught of tasks that set the tone for the rest of the week. By Wednesday, my desk had accumulated a stack of paperwork, and emails kept pouring in — a never-ending slew of requests. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, a mountain of responsibilities landed on me ahead of Friday’s deadline. Now, with a boatload of issues still pending and oodles of minor follow-ups, I’m hoping I can catch my breath by Sunday.

✅ Expression Review in Q&A Format

Q1. What does “handy” mean in context?
A1. “Handy” means useful or convenient. In the phrase “then it’s very handy,” the speaker is saying that the expression or phrase is helpful and appropriate for the situation. It often describes tools, resources, or even expressions that are easily applicable or accessible.

Q2. What does “downright” mean?
A2. “Downright” is an intensifier that means completely or absolutely. It is often used before strong adjectives, especially to emphasize negativity or extremity, such as “downright rude” or “downright exhausting.” It can also be used for positive emphasis, though less often.

Q3. What does “set the tone for the rest of the week” mean?
A3. This means something early in the week (usually Monday) influenced the mood, pace, or energy of the following days. For example, if Monday is stressful, it can “set the tone” for a stressful week.

Q4. Does “I had a handle on things” mean the same as “I handled that”?
A4. Not quite.

• “I had a handle on things” means you were managing everything well, usually over a period of time. It suggests control over a broader situation.
• “I handled that” means you dealt with a specific task or issue and completed it. It’s more task-focused and final.

Q5. Can the expressions “a slew of,” “a boatload of,” “oodles of,” “a mountain of,” and “a stack of” be used with both countable and uncountable nouns?
A5. Here’s the breakdown:

Q6. What does the phrase “emails kept pouring in” mean?
A6. It means emails continued arriving rapidly or in large amounts, usually making it difficult to keep up. It’s commonly used to describe a sense of overwhelm during busy times.

Q7. What’s the difference between “I had a handle on things” and “I handled that”?
A7.

• “I had a handle on things” refers to ongoing control over a situation. It shows that you were managing everything well.
• “I handled that” means you took care of one specific issue or task in the past. It suggests completion rather than ongoing management.